Hurricane Patricia wrought havoc on the United States Grand Prix with Saturday’s qualifying session abandoned at a waterlogged Circuit of the Americas in Texas.
In the limited earlier action that took place, title leader Lewis Hamilton topped the time sheets in the final free practice session in Austin, the only man under the two minute mark in his Mercedes.
Britain’s Hamilton can clinch his third world championship crown Sunday if he scores nine more points than his closest rival Sebastian Vettel and three more than teammate Nico Rosberg.
Vettel spun twice in his Ferrari in the session, after posting the earlier fastest time before Hamilton bested him with a superb lap in the treacherous conditions.
With Friday’s action almost a total wash out and the affects of Patricia still being felt across the region, it was a surprise when F1 officials sanctioned the session, which took place behind closed doors because of safety fears for spectators.
The 30-year-old Hamilton recorded one minute 59.517 seconds to show his mastery in any conditions, but as the weather deteriorated he and others came back to the shelter of the pits.
Rosberg damaged the front wing of his Mercedes in a spin and could only manage ninth fastest. Nico Hulkenberg was third best for Force India, ahead of Valtteri Bottas for Williams before the action came to a halt.
The times could prove significant and put Hamilton on pole if qualifying cannot be staged on Sunday morning ahead of the race proper in the afternoon.
There was little chance of the battle for grid positions ever taking place Saturday, with the 30,000 spectators who were finally allowed into the circuit treated to occasional glimpses of their heroes.
Red Bull’s young stars Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat did their version of singing in the rain, Rosberg showed off his football skills with former F1 legend Niki Lauda, Hamilton appeared on the pit while, while the Sauber team did an impromptu “rowing” race.
It was though a frustrating situation for all concerned with organizers keeping their fingers crossed that the more favorable forecast for Sunday would enable the action to start again in earnest.
Qualifying was set for 0900 local (1400GMT) with the race — the 16th round of the 19 race series — scheduled for the afternoon at 1400 (1900GMT).
